The Barcelona contingent posed for a group photo outside the Palladium Theatre in London, nearly filling the entrance to the Ballon d'Or ceremony, with the camera struggling to capture everyone. The men's team, women's team, and accompanying senior officials stood together. As they entered the theatre, Yamal greeted 20-year-old Vicky López. Minutes later, both would lift awards again, recognized for the second consecutive year as the most promising players in world football.
Sport pointed out that Yamal and Vicky López epitomize La Masia's success. In fact, their friendship, forged in the residence, continues to this day. Yamal entered the Oriol Tort training center at age 12. Vicky López moved in after signing with Barcelona at 16, arriving with Lucia Corrales and Julia Dragoni. Players living there spend time together in the center and in classrooms.
Vicky López, who is one year older than Yamal, also developed a strong bond with Pau Prim, who will leave the club in summer 2025. The residence houses about 100 athletes from different programs. Many have families far away, so they form new families with their companions. Vicky told Sport: "Living here, you have mentors to guide you, a schedule; it's not a paradise for fun... It nurtures and educates you, and most importantly, you live and grow with many boys and girls of different ages. Besides football teammates, there are also people you can communicate with here."
This home-like feeling extends beyond the residence. Every weekend, some of them go to different pitches at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper to watch matches. Players can live there until they are 18, though there are exceptions. For example, Yamal moved out earlier to live independently. Cubarsi lived there until the end of the school year, even though he turned 18 several months prior.
Living Under the Same Roof as Professional Players
Even after being promoted to the first team, residence players remain part of the community and still live under the same roof. Until recently, the youngest players saw Bernal, Xavi Espart, and Clara Serrajordi every day. There are also cases like Darvich, who spent two seasons at the club. Some foreign players actively request to live there to adapt to both football and the culture faster.
When it's time to move on, some choose to live near Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, or even share accommodation, so they can walk to training. This season, there are as many as 9 players in the Barça Atlètic residence: Jordi Pesquer, Pablo Campos—who was called up to the squad for Paris and the Clásico—Sergi Majem, Óscar Gistau, Iker Rodríguez, Pedro Rodríguez, Pedro Villar, Ebrima Tunkara, and Orian Goren. For the women's team, 19 spots are reserved. The club values signing talented players and is therefore expanding rooms for female players.
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